Monday was a busy day on the Florida Gators campus as the coaching staff hosted two big time prospects for unofficial visits.
Alabama athlete commit Chadarius Townsend (6-0, 190, Tanner, AL High) was one of those prospects and he liked the Gainesville campus.
“It was great. Really it was a great trip and worth it,” Townsend said. “We just really viewed the campus and saw everything they had to offer. We looked all around campus; it was nice to see things. Florida period is nice, the state is nice too.”
The visit from Townsend to Florida kind of came out of nowhere, but he says this trip was one he always wanted to take.
“Florida, I always knew they were a good school even before I went on this trip,” he said of why he took the trip. “I know they’re known for DBU and I watched a lot of Vernon Hargreaves too. I always wanted to come down and check out Florida and see what they had to say and offer.”
During the visit on Monday Townsend got to meet with several coaches but missed getting to talk to one of them.
“I talk to coach [Geoff] Collins, coach Drew Hughes, coach [Tim] Skipper and really all of them, even Coach Mac,” Townsend said on whom he speaks with from the Gators. “I met all of them yesterday [Monday] except for Coach Mac, because he was on his way home from his daughter’s wedding.”
Defensive coordinator Geoff Collins had a long conversation with Townsend on Monday and explained how the Gators would use him.
“Coach Collins was talking to me about how he would like to have me on the defensive back side,” he said on Collins message. “He said that he sees me as a good defensive back and I like it because it’s a fun position to play. He was telling me that it would be a good time for me to come to Florida because they have playing time for me.”
Since McElwain wasn’t on campus the Gators head coach spoke to Townsend over the phone.
“Coach Mac told me that he was hating it that he wasn’t able to be down there when I was here,” Townsend of McElwain’s message. “He told me that he wants me come back soon so I can meet him. He said that he likes what he sees in my film and that he would love to have me there.”
The Gators showed Townsend a lot of love and the Alabama commit says he has interest in Florida, but remains committed.
“I’m solid to Alabama,” he said of the status of his commitment. “Florida is a really good school and I’m just enjoying the process and looking at all of my options. I know I will get back down to Florida for a visit.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Alabama is also looking at Townsend at defensive back, but have pitched playing offense to him. However, the athlete wants to play defense. Right now Townsend seems to be locked into Alabama but he’s keeping his options open.